System for annotating non-text electronic documents

ABSTRACT

A trinocular apparatus is provided for sighting and photographing subjects in the field. Images are captured electronically, and the trinocular apparatus includes a system for annotating captured images as well as apparatus for storing and transferring captured images. A text phrase is selected for use in annotating a non-text electronic file. Voice input such as a keyword is associated with a text version of the keyword which is matched to text words in stored text phrases, and the text phrases are then used to annotate the image.

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/491,460,filed Jan. 26, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the fields of digital photography andoptical image magnification and pertains more particularly to methodsand apparatus for obtaining digital photographs of field subjects asseen through magnified binocular vision from a pair of binoculars orfield glasses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of optical image magnification, there are a variety ofdevices used to optically magnify images for the purpose of enhancedviewing of such images. Perhaps one of the most recognizable devicesprovided for this purpose are the binocular, sometimes termed fieldglasses, and the telescope. Although these two types of ocular aids aresimilar in some respects such as using lenses to capture light andmagnify objects, they use patently different technologies in the waylenses are arraigned and used in conjunction with other apparatus toprovide magnified representations of images for viewing.

Of the two basic types of telescopes, a refractor telescope uses a glasslens as its objective. The glass lens is at the front of the telescopeand light is bent (refracted) as it passes through the lens. A reflectortelescope uses a mirror as its objective. The mirror is close to therear of the telescope and light is bounced off (reflected) as it strikesthe mirror.

Binoculars or field glasses are different than both reflector orrefractor telescopes in that they have to optic barrels (one for eacheye), and that they use objective lenses coupled with a prism systemlocated between the objective lenses and the eyepieces in both barrels.The prism system may be one of two types Porro or Roof The prismsfunction as mirrors to. correct the view of an image so that it does notappear up side down and backward to the viewer. The Roof prism system isused in binoculars wherein the objective lenses and eyepieces arein-line, and the Porro prism system is used in binoculars wherein theobjective lenses and the eyepieces are offset from each other.

In addition to the obvious technological differences that exist betweentelescopes and binoculars, the scope or purpose of the separatelyinvented devices are also markedly different. Telescopes are primarilyintended and used for viewing objects that are far away, most oftencelestial objects above our atmosphere, while binoculars-are morespecifically designed for viewing objects that are closer to us andwithin our atmosphere. One exemplary application that is arguably themost widely practiced and used with binoculars is recreational fieldviewing, hence, the term field glasses. It is to this type ofapplication, which includes such recreational pastimes as birding,viewing sporting events, scouting terrain for hunting purposes, and soon, that the present invention most particularly applies to.

Digital photography, which has somewhat recently been developed andrefined for practical application, uses a charged-coupled-device CCDtechnology to capture light and convert it to a digital bitmap imagethat may be uploaded and displayed on a personal computer usingappropriate software on the computer for opening the image file. Digitalcameras are now available that produce exceptionally sharp images in areliable and consistent manner without requiring extensive skill tooperate such as with focusing, lighting requirements, or othercomplicated set-up procedures inherent to high quality cameras used inconventional photography. Digital cameras may be made very compact andlightweight without affecting their picture taking quality.

Many field applications wherein binoculars are used also lend themselveslogically to the use of photographic equipment. For example, a scientistor hobbyist engaged in the field study of birds or other wildlifetypically carries a good pair of binoculars, a camera for takingphotographs, and a note-pad or journal for jotting down scientific orimportant notations or details regarding subjects of study. Huntersoften scout places to hunt with a pair of binoculars and jot down notesdescribing the location. The hunter then returns to such locations whenthe season opens if, according to jotted notes and memory, they aredeemed good prospects for successful hunting. Although photographicequipment is not a major priority among those scouting places to hunt, aphoto of the scouted valley or ridge may prove useful when returning tore-identify such locations.

It is clear that the desire to both view magnified subjects, andphotograph them, goes hand in hand in many applications. This isexemplified in the use of some larger telescopes that use a type ofspecialized digital photography that is adapted specifically for nightphotography. The object, of course, is to photograph the stellar bodiesat the moment they are discovered through the telescope.

With the use of binoculars, however, one must also bring along asuitable camera with a zoom lens if it is desired to photograph asubject spotted through the binoculars. This is rather inconvenient inthat if a subject is spotted through the binoculars, it must bere-sighted with the camera and focused in before a picture may be taken.In that amount of time the subject may move away or out of range orsight. Also, carrying a notepad or a recorder along with a camera fortaking notes simply adds to the burden and inconvenience of theindividual.

In some instances, a camera with a zoom lens may be used instead ofbinoculars to initially sight a subject for photography. However, thisis also inconvenient due to the complexity of most zoom camerasregarding focusing, the inherent fragility of a good camera comparedwith a binocular in the field, and the added fact that not all sitedsubjects warrant photography. Another consideration is that the vastmajority of individuals using binoculars for recreational enjoyment suchas, perhaps birding, would like a picture of certain sited subjects, butdo not require a highly professional shot as might be expected from morecomplex camera equipment.

What is clearly needed is a binocular adapted with an integrated digitalphotographic capability and voice to text recording capability forrecreational and other applications. Such a device would greatlysimplify and enhance an individual's experience in the field. Such adevice would also simplify notation associated with photographedsubjects that must often be recollected by a photographer after filmdevelopment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment of the preset invention a system for selectinga text phrase for use in annotating a non-text electronic file isprovided, comprising a stored table of text phrases; a voice inputapparatus; and a control system. The control system recognizes a keyword input at the voice input apparatus, retrieves a text version of thekeyword, compares the text keyword to text words in the stored textphrases, and finding a match, uses the matched text phrase to annotatethe electronic file.

In a preferred embodiment the non-text electronic file is a digitalimage, and the table of text phrases is stored on a removable datarepository. The removable data repository is interchangeable with otherdata repository devices containing different tables of text phrases. Thedata repository containing the text phrases may be textually customizedby computerized method. Also, the data repository containing the textphrases may be rendered human readable by computerized method, and maycontain standalone keywords.

In another aspect of the invention a method for selecting a text phrasefor use in annotating a non-text electronic file is provided, comprisingthe steps of (a) storing a table of text phrases; (b) inputting a wordor phrase by a voice input apparatus; (c) recognizing a keyword in theinput word or phrase; (d) retrieving a text. version of the keyword.from storage; (e) comparing the retrieved text version of the keywordwith text words in the text phrases stored in the table; and (f) using amatched text phrase to annotate the electronic file.

In a preferred embodiment of this method, in step (a), standalonekeywords are also stored. Also, in step (f), standard date and timefunctions may be included in annotation.

In yet another aspect of the invention an image-capturing device forstoring annotated images is provided, comprising an optical focus systemfor optically focusing an image on an image-capturing element; a datarepository for storing captured images and a table of text phrases; avoice input apparatus; and a control system. The control systemrecognizes a key word input at the voice input apparatus, retrieves atext version of the keyword, compares the text keyword to text words inthe stored text phrases, and finding a match, uses the matched textphrase to annotate the electronic file.

In a preferred embodiment of the device the image capturing element isone of a charged-coupled device or a C-MOS imaging device. There mayalso be two separate data repositories, a first data repository forstoring captured images and a second data repository for storing textphrases. The second data repository may also contain standalonekeywords, and may also be removable and interchangeable with other datarepository devices containing different phrases and keywords.

In another embodiment of the method the second data repository may betextually customized by computerized method, and may be rendered humanreadable by computerized method. Also standard date and time may beincluded in annotations to electronic files.

In embodiments of the present invention, taught in enabling detailbelow, for the first time a system is provided wherein annotatingphrases may be added to non-text digital files by speaking a keyword.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an overhead view of a digital trinocular according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the digital trinocular of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3a is a block diagram illustrating a “flush to forward” positionalmounting range for a third barrel integral to the digital trinocular ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary method forcorrecting site orientations between binocular barrels and an elevatedcamera barrel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a block diagram illustrating a site-orientation tilt featureprovided to the camera barrel of FIG. 3C according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating basic circuitry of a third barreland exemplary light path according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary integrated focus andmagnification function of a trinocular according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating logical process steps for digitalprocessing and transfer functions of the trinocular of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computeruser-interface containing bitmap images integrated into an editable wordprocessing file created from the session container of FIG. 6 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pair ofbinoculars or field glasses is adapted with a third barrel thatfunctions as a digital photography device. The apparatus of the presentinvention termed a trinocular by the inventor, enables field users tophotograph subjects sited through the regular binocular optics by virtueof integrated focus function. The method and apparatus of the presentinvention will be explained in enabling detail below.

FIG. 1 is an overhead view of a digital trinocular 9 according to anembodiment of the present invention. Trinocular 9 comprises threeoptical barrel assemblies, barrel 11, barrel 13 and barrel 15. Barrels11 and 13 are provided and adapted as normal binocular barrels (known inthe art) such as are associated with a pair of field glasses. Barrel 15,located substantially centered between the two outer barrels 11 and 13,is provided and adapted to function as a digital camera with opticalfocus capability that is integrated with the normal focus andmagnification functions of the outer barrels.

In this embodiment, trinocular 9 utilizes a Porro prism system (notshown) inside each of barrels 11, 13, and 15. The Porro prism system isa well-known prism arrangement implemented inside many binocular barrelsand adapted to convert an upside-down image to a righted position forviewing purposes. The use of the Porro system in this embodiment causeseach barrel 11, 13, and 15 to be constructed in an offset alignmentbetween the objective end and the magnification end.

It is not specifically required that trinocular 9 use a Porro prismsystem. Trinocular 9 may, in another embodiment, be adapted with anotherwell-known prism system known as the Roof prism system. The Roof prismsystem utilizes a prism arrangement in a straight-line path from theobjective end to the magnification end allowing barrels to beconstructed as straight tubes with no offset. The conversion effect withrespect to righting an image for viewing is essentially the same betweenboth methods however there are some slight differences in image qualitybetween the two systems. For the purpose of the present invention,either system Porro or Roof is equally applicable and minorimage-quality differences are negligible.

In still another embodiment, center barrel 15 may be adapted with theopposite prism arrangement from the one implemented in barrels 11 and13. For example, if barrels 11 and 13 use the Porro arrangement, thencenter barrel 15 may be adapted with the roof system. The reverse orderis also applicable. Such flexibility may be utilized in part forconvenience in construction and barrel arrangement. In this example,center barrel 15 is notably shorter than outer barrels 11 and 13. Thereason for the difference pertains to user comfort and will be detailedfurther below.

Each of barrels 11 and 13 have eyepiece assemblies 21 and 19 installedfor magnification viewing as is known in the art of binocular vision.Eyepiece 19 has an independent diopter function 41 used to adjust thefocusing of barrel 13 to compensate for a user's particular visiondeficiency. This function is common and standard to most binocularproducts.

Center barrel 15 also has an eye-piece assembly 17 installed therein andadapted for optical magnification of an image. Eye-piece assemblies 21,19, and 17 contain all of the components such as lens arrays and thelike that are required to produce the intended effect of magnificationof an image for viewing. The only difference between the eyepiecefunction of center barrel 15 and the outer barrels 11 and 13 is thatinstead of presenting an image to the human eye, the central eyepieceassembly presents the image to a CCD array (not shown):

Because eye-piece assembly 17 does not have to present an image to oneof the user's eyes, it may be constructed differently than eye-pieceassemblies 21 and 19, which must present identical images to the userwith respect to magnification. Therefore, eyepiece assembly 17 may beadapted to provide a different magnification value with respect to asighted object than assemblies 21 and 19. This advantage may be utilizedin conjunction with the Prism option both for convenience inconstruction and for enhancement of image magnification.

Barrels 11 and 13 (viewing barrels) are held parallel to each other andin viewing alignment by virtue of a pivotal mounting method thatutilizes pivotal mounting assemblies 29 (one each for barrels 11 and13). This type of mounting arrangement is well known in the art. Barrels11 and 13 are mounted according to the above-described pivotalarrangement to a mount-plate assembly 23. Mount-plate assembly 23comprises a centrally fixed mounting plate 27 and an adjustable focusplate 25.

Mounting plate 27 may be manufactured of a durable polymer or anotherlightweight material. Mounting plate 27 is hollowed on it's inside suchthat it forms a boxed enclosure wherein circuitry and like componentsmay be housed. The overall thickness of mounting plate 27 isapproximately ⅜ to one-half of an inch with a wall thickness smallenough to allow for the above-mentioned inner components and circuitry.The overall thickness may, in some embodiments, exceed or be less thanthe stated thickness range without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention.

Focus plate 25 may be manufactured of a material similar to or the sameas described with mounting plate 27. Focus plate 25 is largely.rectangular accept for the presence of two symmetrical slots formedtherein and adapted by design to snuggly fit over protruding-symmetricalfingers formed on the mating surface of mounting plate 27. In this way,the two plates may be slidably and snugly fitted together.

Mounting plate 27 and focus plate 25 are held together as an adjustableassembly by virtue of alignment pins 37 (one on each side) and athreaded screw-pin 35. Annular recesses (not shown) are provided in bothplates 27 and 25 to facilitate pins 37 and threaded screw-pin 35. Pins37 may be manufactured of suitable steel such as stainless steel ordowel steel. Threaded pin 35 is manufactured of similar steel commonlyused for such as fastening machine screws and the like.

In this embodiment, focus plate 25 is adapted to control integratedoptical focussing for objective lenses installed in barrels 11, 13, and15. This is accomplished by virtue of optical focus-arm assemblies 31(one each for barrels 11, 13, and 15), and a provided central focuswheel 33 that is mechanically attatched to threaded pin 35. By rotatingwheel 33 all the way to the left, focus plate 25 may be brought flush tomounting plate 27. By rotating wheel 33 all the way to the right, focusplate 25 may be caused to separate from a flush position at mountingplate 27 to a maximum focus distance generally defined by the physicallimitation or range of threaded pin 35 and the length of focus-arm slotsformed in each barrel to facilitate mounting and movement of focus-armassemblies 31. Such a focussing arrangement is known for focussing theobjective lenses of two barrels in tandem such as with a binocular focusfunction however, the inventor knows of no such integrated focus systemadapted to focus three objective lenses, one of which is a focussinglens for a digital photography function.

In another embodiment, an integrated focus system for a trinocular suchas trinocular 9 may be provided and adapted to move eyepiece. assemblies21, 17, and 19 instead of moving objective lenses. In still anotherembodiment such focus function may be mechanized and adapted to respondin an automated fashion such as by depressing a button similar toauto-focus on a camera. This embodiment reflects just one examplewherein an integrated focus system is provided and facilitated by amanual focus wheel such as wheel 33. There are many other possiblearrangements and methods.

Three adjustable mounting screws 36 are illustrated on the upper face ofmounting plate 27 and arranged in a triangular pattern. Mounting screws36 are used to mount barrel 15 in it's central location between barrels11 and 13. By adjusting screws 36 (tightening or loosening), alignmentand positioning of barrel 15 with respect to barrels 11, 13, and plate27 may be manually adjusted. For example, tightening all of screws 36acts to raise barrel 15 toward the under-side of plate 27. Tighteningthe rear screw 36 and loosening front screws 36 acts to lower the frontof barrel 15 while raising the rear of barrel 15 causing it to bepresented in an angled down position. The method for mounting barrel 15to plate 27 will be described in more detail below.

An array of function buttons 43 is provided on the upper surface ofplate 27. Buttons 43 provide a convenient interface mechanism to a useroperating tinocular 9. For example, one of buttons 43 may be a shutterbutton allowing a user to take a digital picture. Another of buttons 43may be an ad text button allowing a user to speak into a microphone (notshown) and add captions to pictures taken. A third button 43 may be anautomated digital-focus button allowing a user to digitally adjustfocusing of barrel 15. Function buttons 43 are, in this embodiment,placed in a convenient linear arrangement on the right-hand side ofplate 27. However, in other embodiments, they may be placed in anyconvenient location that is accessible to a user. Moreover, there may bemore or fewer function buttons such as buttons 43 without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention. The inventor illustratesthree such buttons and their described uses as an exemplary interfaceonly.

A digital storage-bay 39 is provided in plate 27 and adapted to acceptremovable memory cards as is known in the art of digital photography.Digital photographs are stored on such devices before transferring themto a computer by way of marrying the device with a floppy disk providedand modified for the purpose. A second digital storage-bay 40 isprovided in plate 27 and adapted to accept such as a removable smartcard adapted with vocabulary terms to aid voice to text annotation ofphotographs. More detail about a unique smart-card enhancement totrinocular 9 will be provided later in this specification.

It will be apparent to one with skill in the art of mechanical designthat the method for mounting barrel 15 between barrels 11 and 13 aspresented in this example is accomplished by means known in the art andavailable to the inventor. The inventor stresses that the presentexample is intended to exemplify but one of several alternative mountingand architectural designs that may be pursued in integrating a third“camera barrel” into existing binocular architecture. In someembodiments alterations and modifications may be made to all threebarrels in order to effect a working relationship between the threecomponents. There are many possibilities. The inventor knows of no suchdevice that has three barrels wherein one supports a digital camera withthe camera focus function integrated with the binocular focus function.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of trinocular 9 of FIG. 1. In this front viewof trinocular 9, it can be seen that there is ample room for mounting athird barrel such as barrel 15 in between barrels 11 and 13. Designmodification techniques may be used to provide ample room as describedin FIG. 1. For example, the rear portion of barrel 15 (includingassembly 17) is formed up and out of the way from where a user's nosewould be. In other embodiments, the center barrel may be shorter, ormounted further to the front. There are many variant possibilities, someof which will be described later in this specification.

Screws 36 are use to adjust the positioning of barrel 15 as described inFIG. 1. Barrel 15 has a retaining form 51 formed on it's upper side.Form 51 has a substantial solid portion with a flat upper-surface, andis adapted to act as a retaining medium for three threaded ball-screws53. Ball screws 53 each have their ball ends embedded and retainedsnugly into annular sockets strategically provided in the solid portionof form 51. The ball ends of ball screws 53 assume a tight fit withintheir respective sockets such that friction impedes but does not preventrotation of balls in sockets.

Three elongated relief slots (not visible) are provided in the surfaceof form 51 at the surface junction of form 51 and each retained ball-endwith the slots breaking into each socket. The relief slots run parallelto the longitudinal center of barrel 15. The relief slots are providedof a dimensional width slightly larger than the dimensional width of theshank portion of ball screws 53 to provide directed rotation for eachball screw along the direction of each slot. Although it is not shown inthis example, the ball ends of ball screws 53 may be axially pined orother wise axially retained in their sockets to prevent circularrotation along the direction of machined threads provided on the shankportions of each screw.

Machine screws 36 comprise hollow tubes threaded on the inside diametersuch that they mate with the threaded shank portions of ball screws 53.Once each machine screw 36 is engaged (by threading) over each ballscrew 53, barrel 15 may be raised, lowered, or caused to angledownwardly or upwardly according to user tightening or, loosening ofscrews 36. A focus arm 31 for barrel 15 is removed in this example forfacilitating a view of a rear machine screw 36 and ball screw 53, whichtake up the centered position.

Each barrel of trinocular 9 has an objective lens for focusing lightthrough each barrel. Barrel 13 has a lens 45, barrel 11 has a lens 47,and barrel 15 (camera barrel) has a lens 49. Lenses 45 and 47 must bethe same diameter and thickness as well as being mounted in the sameplane because they aid focusing for the eye of the user. In a standardpair of binoculars, focus arms 31 move each objective lens the sameamount of distance in the same direction. Focusing is a function ofadjusting the length from the objective lens to the eyepiece.

By adding barrel 15 and an extra focus arm, objective lens 49 may bemanipulated in sync with lenses 45 and 47. However, because the focuspoint of lens 49 in barrel 15 is not a human eye, but rather a CCDarray, the planer position of lens 49 may be considerably offset (ifdesired) from the planer positions of lenses 45 and 47 allowing barrel15 to be mounted ahead of barrels 11 and 13. Modifications to correctthe focus function of barrel 15 can be made such that the offsetdimension between lenses 45, 47 and 49 is acceptable. Moreover, lens 49may be of a different diameter and thickness than lenses 45 and 47 aslong as appropriate modifications exist in barrel 15 to correct it'sfocus such that it is sharp when the user sees a sharp image. Moredetail about focus adjustments will be discussed further below.

FIG. 3a is a schematic diagram illustrating a “flush to forward”positional mounting range for third barrel 15 of trinocular 9 of FIG. 1.As described in both FIGS. 1 and 2, various architectures and mountingpositions may be utilized in integrating a third barrel such as barrel15 into common binocular architecture. The schematic presented hereinillustrates a flush to forward range limit that may be utilized withoutbinocular vision picking up the forward edge of a third barrel such asbarrel 15.

Assuming that all three barrels, 11, 13, and 15 are of the same length,then a line 0 (horizontally placed dotted line) represents all barrelsmounted in a flush position in relation to each other. That is to saythat the forward edges of barrels 11, 13, and 15 lie in the samehorizontal plane 0. However, one with skill in the art will recognizethat there is a considerable length in front and center of a binocularoptical field that is a blind field wherein objects placed thereincannot be seen by a user looking through the binocular barrels. Thisfact allows for a certain amount of flexibility for mounting a thirdbarrel in a forward position considerably ahead of binocular barrels 11and 13.

To further illustrate, a horizontal plane A represents a forward rangedefined as the distance from plane 0 to plane A, or “range A”. Range Ais the acceptable distance wherein the forward edge of barrel 15 may beextended without being visible through barrels 11 and 13. For example,binocular barrels 11, and 13 exude associated fields of vision C and Drespectively. Fields C and D represent the angles of view for eachbarrel. A viewing subject, represented herein by an ellipse labeled Srepresents an object being sighted through binocular barrels 11 and 13.As can be seen, subject S is visible through barrel 11 and barrel 13 byvirtue of overlapped vision fields C and D.

Barrel 15 may be mounted to a forward limit of plane A before visionfields C and D include the forward edge of barrel 15 as can be seen atthe junction of each field and the front corners of barrel 15 positionedat plane A. A camera angle represented by field E captures subject S ata substantially centered position. The example assumes that anillustrated range B, representing distance between a user's eyes isadjusted at the correct distance to enable viewing for the user, andthat barrel 15 is substantially centered between barrels 11 and 13 andin a parallel arrangement.

The example presented herein illustrates possible mounting locations forbarrel 15 that exist starting from plane 0 (flush) to plane A (forwardlimit). It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that Range Amay vary depending on actual design of barrels 11, 13, and 15. Howeverin most circumstances, barrel 15 may be conveniently mounted ahead ofbarrels 11 and 13 such that ample relief is afforded for viewing comforteven if barrel 15 is of the same length as barrels 11 and 13.

In one embodiment, barrel 15 may be slidably adjustable within Range A.An integrated focus function may be calibrated to account for adjustingbarrel 15 forward or backward within range A. Such a function wouldinclude a digital means for tracking linear increments of movement ofbarrel 15 in relationship to the position of barrels 11, and 13 such asby a digital track common to some types of machines wherein linearmovement of a component or components of the machine must be known.Linear data describing movement may be used to digitally adjustfocussing for camera barrel 15 such that processed pictures appear assharp as what a user sees through barrels 11 and 13.

Barrel 15 is not limited to the positional arrangement illustrated inthis example. As described in FIG. 2, barrel 15 may be elevated abovethe plane occupied by barrels 11, and 13. One such example isillustrated below wherein a method for correcting the center of asubject for photography is also described.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary method forcorrecting site orientations between binocular barrels 11, 13 and anelevated camera-barrel 15 of trinocular 9 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

In this example, binocular barrels 11 and 13 share the same plane andcamera barrel 15 assumes an elevated but parallel plane as illustratedherein by a distance F taken from the centerline of barrels 11, and 13to the centerline of barrel 15. This example also includes range A ofthe example of FIG. 3A. For example, binocular barrels 11 and 13 capturesubject S at a substantially centered position as would be the normalcase of binocular viewing represented herein by vision fields C and D,which were described in FIG. 3A above.

If barrel 15 is adjusted at a flush position with barrels 11 and 13, butelevated to distance F in parallel; and subject S is at a given range Rfrom a user; then a field of vision E1 would include subject S somewhatnear the lower boundary of E1 and not vertically centered. If camerabarrel 15 is then adjusted to forward position A and subject S remainsat range R, a field of vision E2 would capture subject S at an evenlower position assuming, of course, that a user's binocular view ofsubject S remains centered. A digital photo of subject S taken at thisinstant would not be centered.

A digital means for correcting the photo position of subject S isprovided and adapted to correct the “camera view” by incorporating thevalues of range R, distance F and field angle (C, D) into a means forindicating where to place subject S in the binocular viewing windowshared by barrels 11 and 13. The indication means may be of the form ofa dim array of light emitting diodes (LED) visible to a user lookingthrough barrels 11 and 13 at the extreme periphery of the viewingwindow.

Depending upon the collected data described above, opposite marks mayilluminate showing a user where to center subject S in the binocularview as shown in the lower left illustration labeled “correctedbinocular view”. After centering subject S between the indicated marks,a resulting photographic view will be substantially centered as shown inthe lower right illustration labeled “resulting camera view”. Thedigital circuitry required to accomplish the above-described feature isknown in the art and available to the inventor.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, barrel 15 may beelevated as in FIG. 3B, but caused to tilt down at a specific angle toeffect a centered subject in a photograph. Such an embodiment isdetailed below.

FIG. 3C is a block diagram illustrating a site-orientation tilt featureprovided to the camera barrel 15 of FIG. 3C according to an embodimentof the present invention. In this embodiment, barrel 15 is mounted insuch a way as to enable measured tilting along a vertical plane runningparallel to barrels 11 and 13 and perpendicular to the horizontal planeoccupied by barrels 11 and 13. Such tilting of barrel 15 may be effectedthrough manual adjustment of screws 36 of FIG. 1. In another embodiment,barrel 15 may be mounted according to pneumatic method wherein hydraulicmounting components are used to change tilt angle of barrel 15.

Enabling barrel 15 to be tilted allows the field of view of barrel 15 tocome into alignment with the field of view of barrels 11 and 13. In thisway, a subject (S) at a given range (R) can be photographed in acentered manner without affecting the binocular view. A photograph takenfrom barrel 15 will not appear exactly the same as the subject appearsthrough barrels 11, and 13 because of the elevated and angled positionof barrel 15. However, given the range (R) of the subject (S) and thesmall angle of tilt, any differences are negligible.

To further illustrate, note that field angle (C,D) captures subject (S)at range (R) in a substantially centered view as was described in FIG.3B. In order to “bring in” the camera view of barrel 15 to align withfield angle (C,D) of subject (S) at range (R), a certain tilt amount isrequired. An angle measurement of Fn represents the required angle oftilt needed to align field angle (C,D) with camera views E1 (flushposition, range A) and E2 (forward position, range A). It is noted herethat advancing barrel 15 to a forward position along the angle of tiltdoes not affect the centered state of subject (S). This embodimentsolves the same problem, as does FIG. 3B without affecting binocularvision. Therefore, this example can be considered a preferred embodimentalbeit both embodiments may be presented as options.

The exact angle required for tilting barrel 15 such that subject (S)remains centered in all views may be derived by trigonometric functionwith known values for R and distance F of FIG. 3B. The angle of tiltwill be relatively small in most instances of viewing objects atconsiderable range, which is a normal state for binocular viewing.

In a more advanced version of the trinocular of the present invention, acamera barrel 15 may be mounted in a position above barrels 11 and 13such that it is freely rotable and pneumatically controlled. In such anadvanced embodiment, barrel 15 occupies an elevated position but doesnot need to be centered between barrels 11 and 13 in order to find asubject (S). For example, barrel 15 may be mounted directly above andparallel to either barrel 11 or barrel 13. When an R (range) value isregistered and an F value (distance of parallel barrel elevation asmeasured from centerline to centerline) is known, then trigonometricfunction may still be used to find subject (S). The only other valuerequired is the distance between centerlines of barrels 11, and 13. Thisdistance may vary from one user to another because of inherentdifferences between their eyes. Therefore, such distance may be measureddigitally or entered into a view-finding system provided and integratedwith the trinocular of the present invention.

It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the trinocular ofthe present invention may be adapted for automatic view finding by themethods explained in FIG.'s 3B and 3C without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. The exact method used will depend onthe mounting adaptation provided to camera barrel 15. Moreover, manualadjustment of barrel 15 may also be provided as described in FIGS. 3Aand 3B.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating basic circuitry of barrel 15 andexemplary light path according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. As previously described, barrel 15 may be constructed with aPorro prism arrangement or with a Roof prism arrangement regardless ofthe system used by binocular barrels 11 and 13. In this example, barrel15 is a straight barrel with a Roof prism arrangement. The basic purposeof a prism is known in the art. However, in some embodiments alteringthe size of a prism may aid in focus capability. For example, if barrel15 is constructed shorter than barrels 11 and 13 to provide relief for auser's bridge (nose) area, and the focus system utilizes objective lens49 in the same plane as objective lenses of barrels 11 and 13, then theprism in barrel 15 may be provided to be larger in size than those inbarrels 11 and 13 to compensate for a shorter barrel 15. This case wouldassume manual focus.

Objective lens 49 focuses light through the prism system as illustratedby the arrow emanating from lens 49, traveling through the illustratedprism system, and entering Ocular lens 58 (magnification lens). Ocularlens 58 magnifies an image righted through the prism onto a CCD array57. An analog to digital converter is provided to convert analog valuesregistered by CCD 57 into digital values that may be used to construct abitmap image. Digital cable 55 connects barrel 15 and circuitry thereinto the rest of the circuitry housed in the case inside mounting plate27, which is hollowed for the purpose as previously described.Alternatively, a CMOS imaging process may take the place of a CCDtechnology. CMOS imaging is well known in the art and is, at the time ofthe writing of this application, being improved for practical use.

Voice recognition technology (VRT) chip 61 is provided and adapted toallow a user to use voice input for the purpose adding voice-to-textannotation to photographs of subjects. A digital signal processor (DSP)chip 63 is provided and adapted to process (perform calculations)regarding received digital signals as is known in the art of digitalphotography. An input/output module (I/O) 65 is provided and adapted tofacilitate user initiated function and user feedback function. I/O 65controls functions such as initiating a shutter event, digitalview-finding, automated focus function, voice-input function, and otherfunctions or features that may be provided.

A communication bus structure is provided and adapted to facilitatecommunication between connected modules illustrated in this example. Amicro-controller (MC) 68 is provided and adapted to control booting ofthe system and loading of various functions and features. A power supply(PS) 69 is provided and adapted to supply power to the system. A smartvoice card 72 represents such as a removable smart-memory card thatcontains vocabulary words commonly used with certain sessionapplications which will be described later. A removable memory-card 71represents such as a floppy adaptable card for storing digital images.

Many of the components illustrated herein are known in the art andcommon to digital cameras. Therefore, detailed description of suchcommon components will not be provided. However, integration of certaincomponents as taught herein provide function that is not used in normaldigital photography and is novel above prior art practice. For example,by using VRT 61 in conjunction with voice card 72, certain commonvocabulary words may be entered as text labels or captions to individualphotographs taken of subjects.

To further illustrate the above function, assume that a user plans toutilize the trinocular of the present invention for a bird-watchingsession in the west. In this case, card 72 would contain such as fieldnames of birds found in the western region the user plans to visit. Thewords male, female, juvenile, and adult may be included as commondescriptors that would be included in a caption. A smart card such ascard 72 may be studied by a user for the purpose of learning vocabularycontained on the card.

In one embodiment, cards come with printed text manuals illustrating thevocabulary contained therein. In another embodiment, a smart card suchas card 72 is adaptable to a floppy disk and thus may be read by a wordprogram on a PC. In still another embodiment, contents of a smart cardmay be viewed and scrolled on a special miniature display provided in aconvenient location on a trinocular. Such a miniature display may be ofthe form of an LED or other type known display.

When the user speaks a registered vocabulary word into a providedmicrophone (not shown), VRT 61 pulls the word data from card 72 andcauses it to be included in picture data as a caption or label. One cardsuch as card 72 may hold many words or short phrases associated with aparticular past time such as bird watching, a sporting event such asfootball, or any other popular event such as ballet, opera, and so on.

In addition to labeling a subject, a smart card such as card 72 mayassociate action with a photograph. For example, an action such as“touchdown return” may be captioned under a photograph of a running backthat just made one. An action such as “goal” may be captioned under asoccer player who just shot a goal. A simple photo of such individualsmay not reveal, for example, that he or she just scored, fouled out, orthe like. Smart cards such as card 72 may be provided as accessories tothe trinocular of the present invention and be purchased separately-.

The circuitry and lens arrangement illustrated in this example isintended to represent one possible example of implemented components andarrangements according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thereare many alternate possibilities such as different configurations ofbarrel 15, different prism components, added circuitry allowingadditional features and so on. One such additional feature that allows auser to upload an entire photo session into an editable PC document willbe explained further below.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary integrated focus andmagnification function of a trinocular constructed with a Roof prismarrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention. In thisexample, barrels 11, 13, and camera barrel 15 have a Roof prismarrangement and are constructed of straight tubes. Although it is notrequired that a trinocular be constructed with Roof prisms for thepractice of the present invention, as was previously described above,the inventor chooses this arrangement to further illustrate the conceptof providing a shorter camera barrel with a substantially larger prismas used in a manual focus embodiment.

Objective lenses 47 and 45 of barrels 11 and 13 respectively are andmust be mounted in the same plane relational to each other. Objectivelens 49 may be offset to a different plane as is illustrated herein by adotted rectangle, which exemplifies the space existing between thecenter-lines of lenses 47 and 45, and the center-line of lens 49. Arange G illustrates the range of travel or focus length that all threelenses may be adjusted to with the lenses remaining in a fixedpositional relationship with each other as shown. In this example, thefixed positional relationship just described is illustrated by thediagonal arrows adjoining the centerlines of all three lenses.Therefore, all three lenses, 47, 49, and 45 may be caused to move insync a total focal distance of G.

Barrels 11 and 13 are adapted with Roof prisms labeled A, which areidentical in size to each other. Camera barrel 15 is adapted with a Roofprism B, which is substantially larger than prisms A. This allows for alonger light path to be utilized in camera barrel 15 for the purpose ofenabling barrel 15 to be constructed of a shorter physical focal lengththan are barrels 11 and 13. The increased length of light pathattributed to prism B is directly proportional to the difference infocal length of camera barrel 15 as compared to barrels 11 and 13.

In a manual focus embodiment illustrated in this example, magnificationlenses 28, 57, and 30 may be positionally fixed in their respectivemountings while objective lenses 47, 49, and 45 may be adjusted forwardand rearward in unison according to a limit of G as illustrated herein.According to an alternate arrangement, objective lenses 47, 49, and 45may assume the “fixed state” while lenses 28, 32, and 30 may beadjustable in unison while in a fixed relationship with each other. Instill another arrangement, lens 32 of barrel 15 may be adjustable in aforward to rear manner as illustrated by range limit H.

The distance between objective lens 47 and ocular lens 28 in barrel 11will always remain equal to the distance between lens 45 and lens 30 inbarrel 13. The physical distance between lens 49 and lens 32 in barrel15 is smaller in comparison only by the amount of distance added toprism B by virtue of its larger size. Lens H is adjustable in thisexample, to provide a fine tuning feature to insure that an imagefocused on CCD 57 will be of the same focus as the image focused on auser's eyes. The function of H may be digitally controlled.

It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that there are severalmethods of integrating the focus function of binocular barrels 11 and 13to a focus function of camera barrel 15 without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. Whether a manual focusmethod, a digital focus method, or a combination thereof is implementedmay depend in part on the construction design of trinocular 9.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an editable word and imagedocument adapted for containing and enabling display of images and textsourced from the trinocular 9 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. Document 61 is adapted as an editable word andgraphics document or “session file” residing on a PC and opened with aparent application (parent not shown) as is illustrated herein.

Document 61 represents a “session container” that originally resides onmemory card 71 detailed in FIG. 4 above. More simply, a “sessioncontainer” is described as a software container for storing bitmapimages and annotated text wherein it becomes document 61 after it isuploaded to a PC from trinocular 9 “after session” and opened with acompatible parent application to provide full functionality and editingoptions.

Before session, such data containers as described above are, of course,empty of data. As a user begins a session using trinocular 9,photographs with their associated annotations or captions are enteredinto a session container in order of entry until the container is fullor memory has been exhausted. In the first case, a session containerbecomes full when a specific amount of data is entered therein requiringa new container to initiate a next session or a continuation of aprevious session. In the second case, a container may not have a memorylimit that is less than the total memory capacity of memory card 71.Therefore, there may be more than one session container provided toreside on memory 71 without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

As previously described, a session container becomes an editabledocument when uploaded and opened as illustrated in this example. Afteruploading a session container or containers into a PC, memory card 71 isempty again and may be re-used. A blank copy or template of each “full”session container remains on memory card 71 after PC uploading allowingfor later sessions. In this way, a user may have all of his or herphotographs organized serially and annotated before uploading; andfurther benefits from having the data automatically displayed in areadily editable format on a PC or other GUI (Graphical User Interface).Document 61 represents this editable format.

As can be seen in this example, document 61 displays a digitalphotograph 63 of a Mallard Duck. An annotation text block 65 displaysjust under photograph 63. Text block 65 is voice-entered by a userduring photography and automatically associates with the photograph asshown. In this case, text 65 describes the type of duck, datephotographed, location photographed, and order of photograph. An addedtext annotation describes the duck as being in breeding plumage.Annotation block 65 may be any text description supported by “smartvoice” card 72 of FIG. 4. A text block 67 represents text that may beadded after uploading to a PC. In this case additional detail is addedconcerning the “state” of the duck (breeding pair) and the specificlocation of the duck on Dillard's Pond. Also more detail is addedconcerning description and location of Dillard's Pond.

It may be that the term Dillard's Pond is not available on smart card 72of FIG. 4 at the time of the session. In this case, it may be addedafter. upload. In one embodiment, it may be added to card 72 bycomputer-entry means provided and adapted for the purpose before a usertravels to Dillard's Pond. If a location is well known such as aspecific State Wildlife Preserve, then a smart voice card may beavailable at the preserve and may contain the names of certain locationswithin the preserve as well as other specialized information, which maybe automatically included in a photo caption during a session. There aremany possibilities.

A toolbar 69 is provided and made available to a user interacting withdocument 61 by virtue of a parent application. Toolbar 69 contains allof the normal options presented with well-known word and graphicsapplications including photo editing capabilities, Web-integrationcapability, and so on as are generally known in the art. The fact thateach photography session may be uploaded in entirety in organized formwith caption into an editable document is novel above prior artimplementations in use with standard digital cameras. Session containersmay be implemented as software templates on a memory card. Parametersmay be included as to how much memory (number of photos) may becontained in a “session”. Photographs and captions organize themselvesaccording to template rules on the trinocular before uploading to a PC.This same concept may be expanded to include any digital camera.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating logical process steps for digitalprocessing and transfer functions of the trinocular of FIG. 1. At step71, a user initiates a shutter event by depressing an appropriate buttonsuch as one of input buttons 43 of FIG. 1. At step 73, the CCD arraycaptures the focused subject and begins an analog to digital process offorming a bitmap image of the focused subject. At step 75, a user inputsvoice annotation through a provided microphone mounted in a convenientlocation on trinocular 9. The voice annotation becomes captionsassociated with each photograph.

At step 77 a DSP chip processes the photograph and annotation parameterswithin a session container described in FIG. 6 above. At step 79photograph and annotation (caption) are associated and paired. At step81, bitmap images are created and stored in appropriate sessioncontainers. At step 83 a user, having completed a session, or number ofsessions, inputs removable memory containing the photographs into a PCas is known in the art through marrying the card with a floppy oruploading through a USB or serial cable.

At step 85, a PC uploads one or more session containers from thetrinocular of FIG. 1 into a parent application for editing. The parentapplication opens a session as an editable document containing all ofthe photographs stored therein including the appropriate annotationsorganized serially (first to last photograph) or by other user createdrule. At step 87, a user may edit photographs, add text and perform awide variety of other known functions.

It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that storingphotographs and associated annotations in a template or sessioncontainer may follow a variety of rules without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. For example, photographs maybe stored serially as they were taken. A user may, if desired, changethe order of storage before uploading the photographs by reviewing thesession on an LED provided for the purpose and changing the orderthrough software capability and input function. Such a feature may beimplemented with known technologies.

The method and apparatus of the present invention may assume a varietyof differing architectures without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention. Many of which have already been detailed.Other features not mentioned in this specification, but known to beavailable to digital photography equipment may be integrated intotrinocular 9 without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. For example, short movies of subjects may be recorded andtransferred to a PC if enough memory is provided. Similarly, a batterypowered “session viewer” dedicated for the purpose of viewingphotography sessions may be provided for viewing in the field. Such adevice would comprise a processor and a display means, and may beconnected to trinocular 9 by a cable or a wireless link. A device suchas this may be made small enough to fit in a pocket or other stow andmay be used to store more photographs in case of an extended period ofphotography in the field wherein no computer is available.

The method and apparatus of the present invention presents itself in avariety of practical embodiments using alternate barrel construction andprism implementations, alternate methods for integrating focus, as wellas alternate methods aligning subjects for photography. Many of theseembodiments have been mentioned. The methods and apparatus of thepresent invention should be afforded the broadest possible scope underexamination. The spirit and scope of the present invention should belimited only by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. In an imaging device, a system for selecting atext entity for use in annotating an image, comprising: a removable datastorage device for storing predetermined text entities related to thesubject matter of an imaging session conducted with the imaging device;a docking bay for receiving the removable data storage device; a voiceinput apparatus for imputing voice input; and a control system;characterized in that the control system recognizes the voice input atthe voice input apparatus, the voice input associated by match with atext entity stored on the current data storage device plugged into thedocking bay, and wherein the control system uses the matched text entityto annotate the electronic file and whereupon during a next imagingsession conducted with the imaging device, the imaging sessionencompassing a different subject matter, the current removable storagedevice is removed and replaced with an appropriate device containingpredetermined text entities appropriate to the new subject matter of thenext session.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the image is a digitalimage.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the removable data storagedevice is textually programmable by computerized method.
 4. The systemof claim 1 wherein the removable data storage device is rendered humanreadable through access by a computer method.
 5. The system of claim 1wherein the removable data storage device is non-programmable.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the predetermined text entities describevarious aspects about birds likely to be viewed in a bird watchingsession.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the type of birds describeddepends upon the region wherein the session is held.
 8. A method forannotating images taken using an imaging device in more than one imagingsession, the imaging sessions disparate from each other in subjectmatter comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a removable data storagedevice into a bay on the imaging device, the storage device containingpredetermined and stored text entities for annotation, the entitiesappropriate to the subject matter of the session; (b) beginning animaging session by photographing an image; (c) inputting a voice inputto annotate the image; (d) retrieving a text entity matching the voiceinput from the removable storage device; (e) using the matched entity toannotate the image; (f) ending the current session by removing thecurrent storage device and inserting a new data storage devicecontaining predetermined and stored text entities for annotation, theentities appropriate to the subject matter of the next session; (g)beginning the next imaging session by photographing an image; and (h)repeating steps (c)-(g).
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein in step (a)the removable data storage device is programmable.
 10. The method ofclaim 8 wherein in step (a) the removable data storage device is humanreadable through access and display.
 11. The method of claim 8 whereinin step (a) the text entities are keywords.
 12. The method of claim 8wherein in step (a) the text entities are phrases.
 13. The method ofclaim 8 wherein in step (a) the subject matter of the session is birdsand the session is a bird watching session.
 14. The method of claim 8wherein in step (a) the subject matter of the session is sports and thesession is a sporting event.
 15. The method of claim 8 wherein in step(a) in view of (f) the subject matter is birds but the difference is intype of bird.
 16. The method of claim 8 wherein in step (a) in view of(f) the subject matter is sports but the difference is in type of sport.17. The method of claim 8 wherein steps (b) through (e) are repeated foras many images defining a session.